Tampa Bay Lightning coach Guy Boucher believes the key to success in the NHL is production from the third and fourth lines.

“My belief is in the NHL, the top two lines cancel themselves out and it’s the third and fourth lines that make the difference,” Boucher said earlier this week. “If you look at the top teams like Boston, that’s what they have more than anyone, a third line that is solid offensively and defensively and the fourth line as well.”

That might explain why the Winnipeg Jets struggle to score so much when the top lines are not firing on all cylinders. The majority of the Jets offensive production comes from the top line of Andrew Ladd, Bryan Little and Blake Wheeler as well as second-liner Evander Kane.

However, in the last three games, the Jets have two goals from the fourth line, with Kyle Wellwood scoring Tuesday in Florida and Eric Tangradi getting on the board Thursday in Tampa.

And Friday night in Sunrise, third-line left-winger James Wright was one of the best players on the ice, playing an outstanding defensive game and earning a few quality scoring chances.

“It makes it easier on everybody especially if earlier in the game you get a goal from the depth guys,” Wellwood said.